Web roll splicing method and apparatus



June 1, '1943. o; c'. RO ESEN I WEB ROLL SPLIOING METHOD AND APPARATUSFiled Aug. 6, 1941 L2 Sheets-Sheet l 6, a nun u m u t l l hl h P 1 I L 11| HH 7 R m m u v w a mm W M W 00 5 W 4 r 5 w. M 0, 2. .3 L J w M a I,ME W 9 w/ 4 ill! .IIII:

i S ATTORNEYS June 1, 1943. o. ROESEN 2,320,657

WEB ROLL SPLICING METHOD AND APPARATUS Filed Aug. e, 1941 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 w @HZ J0 J9 J8 J2 INVENTOR 05607 C Foesen.

S ATTORNEYS Patented June 1, 1943 WEB ROL L SPLICING METHOD ANDAPPARATUS Oscar C. Roesen, Scarsdale, N. Y., assignor to MachineryCorporation, Piainiield, N. J., a corporation of Virginia ApplicationAugust 6, 1941, Serial No. 405,630

14 Claims. "(L 242-58) Wood Newspaper This invention relates to thereplacement of webs fed to printing presses and other web-consumingapparatus. It particularly concerns the operation of splicing theleading end of the web on a new or replacement 'roll to the web runningCar to epress or other apparatus from a roll that v is nearly depleted.

The paper web fed to a printing press is sup- I plied in large rollswhich must be replaced during the press operation and without stoppingthe press or reducing its speed. Since the running web travels at a veryhigh speed, it is essential that prior to splicing the new roll beaccelerated until its cylindrical surface attains or approximates thevelocity of the running web to which it is spliced. Because of the highweb speed and the inherent weakness of the web, the splicing operationis quite critical and has in the past been a source of frequent breakageof the web with consequent reduction in the output of the press.

This application is a continuation in part of my copending applicationSerial No. 403,514, filed July 22, 1941, now abandoned.

The present invention contemplates an improved method of and apparatusfor splicing a web from a new roll to a rapidly moving web from anexpiring roll. More particularly the improved method involvesaccelerating the new roll by direct contact between its surface and.

the running web while preventing contact between the running web and thetacky adhesive at the leading end of the new web by means of protectiveshields carried on the new roll, and thereafter removing the shields topermit the splicing contact when the new roll has been accelerated tothe desired speed.

The invention will be described in detail in connection with anembodiment thereof involving the replacement of rolls of paper web fedto a printing press, but it should be. understood that the invention isnot limited to such application but is useful in any operation involvingFig. 2 is a diagrammatic sectional view of the.

web roll, showing one arrangement of parts for both shielding theleading web end adhesive and securing the leading end to therollsurface;

' the shield partly removed;

Fig. 3 is'a sectional view similar to Fig. 2 showing a modifiedarrangement of the leadin web end adhesive shield;

Fig. 41s a sectional view similar to Fig. 2 showing modified means fordecreasing adhesion between the web end and the shield;

Fig. 5 is a planview of a ribbed shield as shown in Fig.4 with theadhesive-bearing area of the web point indicated;

Fig, 6 is a sectional view taken along the line 6-6. of Fig. 4 andviewed in the direction of the arrows;

Fig. 7 is a diagrammatic side elevation of a r web roll reel and tensionbelts for use in practicing the invention, the parts being in the thereel in the position it occupies while the new roll is being acceleratedto running web speed: -Fig. 9 is an enlarged sectional view of the webroll surface and the shield removal roller with Figs. 10 and 11 arerespectively similar elevations showing the new or replacement roll andthe running web just before and just after the splice is made;

with one or more areas carrying a tacky paste or adhesive such as therosin glue known in this art,'and this glue is covered by one or moreremovable shields. Referring particularly to Figs. 1 to 4, the leadingend i i of the web is shown cut or torn to present a plurality of pointsI:

as is customary, and the outer surface of the web end at each point iscoated with a layer of tacky adhesive l3 which may comprise rosin glueor an equivalent tacky and strong adhesive. These adhesive-bearing.point areas are best shown in Figs. 2 to 4.

The leadingend of the web is removably secured to the roll surface byany suitable known means. gummed tabs I4 are used for this purpose, buta weak adhesive or grease. sticking the leading ends of the points i2 tothe surface of the next course of the web on the roll, may besubstituted in accordance with known practice. The opposite end of thetabs l4- illustrated are respectively stuck to the outer surfaces of theleading ends of-the points i 2 and to the surface In the disclosedembodiment, frangible of the nextcourse f-of web on the roll; and aweakened portion such .as a line of perforations l separates the tabends sothat they tear along this line and release the points and theleading end of the web when it is spliced to a running web and pulledaway from the roll- Frangible tabs of this type are describedin detailin Wood Patent No, 1,996,497. a A removable adhesive shield I6 issecured to the roll surface over each layer of tacky adhesive is,

- These shields-may be formed of ordinary paper or ofmoisture-resistance paper, cloth or other 'material that will resistpenetration by the'tacky adhesive l3 and thus present a non-tacky outerI surface. The rearwardend of each shield I8 is removably secured to theleading end ofthe web rearwardly of the-adhesive l3 on the point (2 bysuitable means such as a weak adhesive or grease indicated at H, and theforward ends of the shields may be similarly removably secured to theweb roll surface Just in advance of the ends'of the points l2, asindicated at l8 in Figs.

3 and 4. Instead of the weak adhesive securement I8, the forward edgesof the shields l6 may beremovably, attached to the roll surface byfrangible tabs'lS as shown in Figs. 1 and 2. ,The

tabs l9 may be similar to or identical with the tabs ll used to securethe web end points l2 to the roll as explained above.

The outer surface of each shield I6 is provided with a layer ofspecialadhesive 20 at or closely adjacent .to its' leading edge. This layeradheres directly to the shield where, as illustrated in Figs. 3 and 4,the shield-is removably secured to the roll surface by weak adhesive.When frangible tabs l9 are used for this purpose-the special adhesivelayer adheres to the outer sur-' face of the rearward end of each taband may either arrangement, the special adhesive is secured directly, orindirectly to the of the leading end of-the web.

The special adhesive 20 used, which will be hereinafter referred to as aself-sticking adhesive, is applied to the web or to the web and tab endin fluid form and tenaciously adheres thereto, and thereafter theexposed surface of the applied layer can be rapidly dried'to a point.where such surface will not adhere to an uncoated web surface pressedagainst it, but adhere tenaciously to a similar dried exposedadhesivesurface. Thus the self-sticking adhesive is one which adheres tothe web when applied, and'when dried its surface coheres to a like orsimilar adhesive surface.

-but does not adhere to an uncoated web surface.

An adhesive suitable for the purpose described may comprise any one ofanumber of known non-vulcanizing rubber cements. In general, tl-esecements comprise raw unvulcanized rubber, usually subjected to a smallamount of hot milling, dissolved in a suitable solvent. Solventsemployed in such cements-include gasoline, benzene, ethylene dichloride,carbon tetrachloride,-

outer surfacecommercial rubber cement suitable for the described purposeis available on the market under the trade name "Best-Test White RubberPaper Cement" and is made by the Union Rubber and Asbestos Company ofTrenton, New Jersey. Although the above described rubber cements aresuitable self-sticking adhesives, it should be understood that the useof similar adhesives having this self-sticking property is notprecluded.

In order to remove the shields l6 and expose thetacky adhesive I3,a-shield removal roller 2|,

lying parallel to the roll 32,'is provided. This roller 2| is preferablyof considerably smaller extend laterally onto the adjacent surface ofthe I shield if the tab is narrower than the shield.. Suchan arrangementof the adhesive layer on the tab is shown at 20' in Figs. ,1 and 2. 1 Inillustrated in Figs. 4-, 5 and 6. Theribs 48 may tarnish makefls andpainters naphtha, and a I distillate having an initial boiling point offrom about'lZO? to 180 F. and an end point of from about 250 to .288"F.- The amount of rubber in suchcements runs up to 8% or 10%, and knownsolvent diluents such as isopropanol, ethanol, butanol, amyl acetate,'butyl'acetate, acetone, or methyl 'ethyl ketone are sometimes added. A

special rubber solvent comprising a petroleum diameter than the roll 32and is suitably mounted to rotate about its axis and to movesubstantial] parallel to its axis toward and away from thecyiindricalroll surface. The roller-2| may be, rotatably carried between arms 22engaging a shaft 23 parallel to the axes of the roller 2| and roll 32,as shown in Figs. 1, 7 and 8. The roller 2| may be driven from thepressor other web-consuming apparatus by any suitable means and preferablythrough a clutch, the drive being arranged to propel the roller at suchspeed that its surface velocity is the same as or closely apto anuncoated web surface. The self-sticking adhesive layers 2| are alinedwith the web point shields It, as shown in Fig. 1.

In order to insure that the shields ll will be readily removable fromthe leading end points |2 of the web despite the presence of the layerI! of tacky adhesive between these parts, it may be necessary ordesirable to provide means for producing less adhesion between the tackyadhesive l3 and the shields it than that between this adhesive and theweb. This may be accomplished by coating the under surface of eachshield IS- with a layer of wax, or similar adhesive-repellent material,orbyinterposin'g a layer of waxed paper or. the like between the shieldand the tacky adhesive. Both of these expedients have been illustratedin Figs. 2 and 3- where 41 represents the adhesive repellent. Theadhesive repellent 41 preferably terminates short of the edges oftheshields ,where they are secured to the web by the weak adhesive i1 andI8. As .an alternative to theadhesive repellent 4'1, each shield may beprovided with. ribs 48 on the under surface thereof which act to holdsuch surface of the shield out of contact with the tacky adhesivelayerII as be corrugations or protrusions formed integral withthe shields ormayv comprise a series of' threads, cords or other elongated elements,preferably secured to the shields. They may terminate short of theshield ends as illustrated in Fig. 4, or may be co-extensive therewithas shown at 48 in Fig. 5. when the ribs 48 or 68' are used, the tackyadhesive may be applied to the web endpoints il in spaced transversestrips as indicated at I3, in Fig. 5. This reducesthearea of contactbetween the ribs and the adhesive far below that between the adhesiveand the web,

and so positively insures that the shield may be removed without liftingthe web points from the roll surface.

The. operation of splicing a web in accordance with the invention hasbeen illustrated in Figs. 7 through 12. In these figures I haveillustrated a conventional three-roll reel at 24. As shown in Fig. '7.the reel 24, which turns about a central axis 25, carries three spindles28, 21 and 28. The spindle 26 is shown carrying a roll 29, from whichthe running web 3|) passes over an idler roller 3| and to the press orother web-consuming equipment, not shown. New rolls 32 and 33 are shownmounted respectively on the spindles 21 and 28. The rolls 32 and 33 hereillustrated have been prepared for splicing as described in detailabove.

A set of tension belts 34 extends parallel to the roll surfaces aroundthe idler rollers 35, 36, 31, 38, 39 and 40, and a weighted or otherwisebiased idler 4| maintains these belts at the desired tension. Separateweighted idlers may be used for the different belts 34 if desired. Thebelts 34 are preferably driven at a speed substantially equal to that ofthe running web 30 by suitable means such as a shaft 42 connected to thepress or other web-consuming apparatus. The belts 34 are preferably ofthe narrow type, spaced apart transversely of the web as shown in Fig.12, and brushes 43 of known construction, supported by suitable means toswing about the pivot 44 and arranged to engage the web 30 between thebelts 34 opposite the new roll 32, are preferably provided.

When it becomes necessary to replace the web running from an expiringroll such as 29 with that from a new roll, the reel 24 is first rotatedclockwise from the position shown in Fig. 7 to that of Fig. 8, where thecylindrical surface of the new roll 32 engages the surface of theruna,3ao,o57

This may be readily accomplished by watching the roll 32, the leadingweb end ll of which may be marked by a "flag" or side tab 45 (Figs. 1and '7), and dropping the roller 2| Just as the marker passes theuppermost position.

After the roller 2| is lowered,,it rotates on the surface of the newroll until the self-sticking adhesive layers 2| thereon respectivelyengage the similar layers 20 or 20 on the outer leading surfaces of theshields l6. This contact produces tenacious coherence between the twoselfsticking adhesive layers, and, as a result, the shields iii arestripped from the surface of the roll 32 and wound around the roller 2|(see Fig. 9), the tabs [9 and weak adhesive parting from the rollsurface. The tacky adhesive areas l3 on the web end points |2 are thusexposed, as indicated in Fig. 10. As the roll 32 continues to turn, thetacky end areas It come in contact with the running web and the spliceis made. The running web 30 pulls the new web end away from the new roll32, breaking the tabs i4 or equivalent web end holding means, and theweb from the new roll runs to the press. Immediately after the splice isthus made, the web from the old roll may be severed by suitable knownmeans such as a knife 46 as shown in Fig. 11.

The new roll 32 then becomes the running roll,

7 and the reel 24 may be further rotated clockwise ning web 30 andpresses this web between the roll. surface and the belts 24. The rapidlymoving web 30 quickly accelerates the new roll 32 to a speed such thatits surface velocity equals or approximates the velocity of the runningweb 30. During this roll acceleration, the layers 20 or 20' ofself-sticking adhesive on the shields it repeatedly contact the runningweb, but since, as described above, this adhesive is dried to a point atwhich it does not adhere to uncoated web surfaces, neither theacceleration of the new roll, the normal running of the web 30 or theposition of the shields it are in any way altered. The shield removalroller 2| is held up out of contact with the cylindrical surface of thenew roll 32 during the acceleration thereof, and during the web rollacceleration period, the roller 2| may be accelerated to the samesurface ve- .applicable to a two-roll reel, a roll stand or any otherroll-carrying mechanism capable of bringing a new roll close to a webrunning from an expiring roll.

The method of the invention effectively splices the web from a new rollto the running web without any reduction in web speed and without theuse of any special roll accelerating means. This avoids the necessity ofcorrelating the diameter of each new roll to the web speed and adjustinga locity as that of the new roll, though this is not essential.

After the new roll 32 has attained the proper speed, and While itscylindrical surface continues to rotate in contact with the running web30 or during the acceleration period, the brushes 43 are lowered toapply pressure to the running web and thus press it firmly against thenew roll surface. As illustrated in Fig.12, the belts 34 engage the webbetween the end points l2 and so do not press against the adhesiveshields I6. When the expiring roll 29 has been so far depleted that thesplice should be made, the operator lowers the .shield removal roller 2|into contact with the surface of the new roll 32. The roller 2|preferably contacts the new roll surface at such a time that it does notimmediately engage the shields i6.

spindle drive accelerating mechanism accordingly, and eliminates the useof speed-up belts movable into engagement with each new roll in turn.

In the above described embodiment of the invention, the tacky adhesiveareas and their protective shields have been described as applieddirectly to the end of a continuous web wound into a conventional roll.This manner of preparing the roll is generally preferable, but theinvention in its broader aspects 1 is not limited thereto. Thus theleading end of each new web roll may comprise a web section previouslyprepared and spliced thereto by the press room operators when each newroll is placed on the reel or other rollcarrying mounting.

I claim:

1. In a method of splicing the leading end of a web on a new web roll toa web running from an expiring roll, the steps of applying a layer oftacky adhesive to the outer surface of the web on the new rollsubstantially at its leading end, removably securing a flexible shieldover such tacky adhesive layer, applying tothe outer surface of saidshield a layer of self-sti king adhesive, drying the exposed surface ofsaid self-sticking adhesive layer to a point where it will not adhere toan uncoated web but will adhere to a similar self-sticking adhesivelayer surface, contacting the cylindrical surface of the new roll'withthe surface of the running web whereby the newroll is accelerated to asurface velocity substantially equaling the velocity of the running web,and" pressing against the rotating cylindrical surface of the new roll acontinuous movable surface carrying a layerof self-sticking adhesivedried sufliciently to avoid adherence to the-uncoated web but capable oftenaciously adhering to the a tacky adhesive to the outer surface oftheweb curing the leading end of the web. on the new roll to the new rollsurface, applying a layer of on the ,new roll substantially at itsleading end, removably securing a flexible shield substantiallyimpervious to said tacky adhesive over such layer, applying to the outersurface of said shield adjacent its leadingend a layer of self-stickingadhesive, drying the exposed surface of said selfadhesive layer on saidshield whereby said shield adheres to said surface and is removed fromsaid new roll thereby and said tacky adhesive layer is exposed forsplicing contact with the running web'.

2. In-a method of splicing the leading end of a cylindricalsurface ofthe new roll with the surface of the running web whereby the new roll-isaccelerated to a surface velocity substantially equaling the velocity ofthe running web, and pressing against t'.. e rotating cylindricalsurface of the new roll at a point spaced fromthe running web arotatable cylindrical-surface carrying a layer of self-sticking adhesivedried sufficiently to avoid adherence to the uncoated web but capable oftenaciously adhering to the adhesive layer on said shield whereby saidshield adheres to said surface and is removed from said new roll therebyand said tacky adhesive layer is exposed for splicing contact with therunning web.

3. In a method of splicing the leading end of a web on a new web roll toa web running from an expiring web roll, the steps of removably securingthe leading end of the web on the new roll to the new roll surface,applying a layer of tacky adhesive to the outer surface of the web onthe new roll substantially at its leading end, removably securing aflexible shield substantially impervious to said tacky adhesive oversuch layer, applying to the outer surface of said it will not adhere toan uncoated web but will adhere to a similar self-sticking adhesivelayer surface, contacting the cylindrical surface of the new roll withthe surface of the running web whereby the new roll is accelerated to asurface velocity substantially equaling the velocity of the running web,and pressing against the rotating cylindrical surface of the new roll ata point spaced from the running web the cylindrical surface of arotatable roller carrying a layer of selfsticking adhesive driedsufllciently to avoid adhesion to the uncoated web but capable oftenaciously adhering to the adhesive layer on said shield, whereby saidshield adheres to said roller surface and is removed from the new rollthereby and said tacky adhesive layer is exposed fo splicing contactwith the running web.

4. In a method of splicing the leading end of a web on a new webroll toa web running from an expiring web roll, the steps of removablysesticking adhesive layer to a point where it willnot adhere to anuncoated web but will adhere to a similar self-sticking adhesive layersurface, contacting the cylindrical surface-of the new roll with thesurface of the running web whereby the new roll is accelerated to asurface velocity substantially equaling the velocity of the running web,pressing against the rotating cylindrical surface of the new roll at apoint spaced from the running web the cylindrical surface of a rotatableroller carrying a layer of self-sticking adhesive dried sufficiently toavoid adhesion to the uncoated web but capable of tenaciously adheringto the adhesive layer on said shield,

. whereby said shield adheres to said roller surface and is removed fromthe new roll thereby and said tacky adhesive layer is exposed forsplicing contact with the rimning web, continuing the contact betweensaid new roll surface and the running web until the leading end of saidnew roll web engages said running web and is spliced thereto, andsevering the'web running from the expiring web roll.

5. A web roll arranged for making a high speed V splice comprising asubstantially cylindrical roll wound from a continuous web having aleading outer end, a layer of tacky adhesive on the outer surface ofsaid web adjacent its leading end, a flexible shield removably securedto said roll over said tacky adhesive layer, and a layer ofself-sticking adhesive adhering to the outer surwound from a continuousweb having a leading outer end, means for removably securing saidleading end to the web roll surface, a layer of tacky adhesive on theouter surface of said web adjacent its leading end, a flexible shieldvof sheet material substantially impervious to said tacky adhesiveremovably secured to said roll over said tacky adhesive layer, means forpreventing substantial adhesion between said tacky adhesive layer andsaid shield, and a layer of self-sticking adhesive adhering to the outersurface of said shield and having an exposed surface capable oftenaciously adhering to a similar adhesive layer surface but incapableof adhering to an uncoated web surface.

7. A web rollarranged for making a high speed splice comprising asubstantially cylindrical roll wound from a continuous web having aleading "web roll adjacent its edges and beyond said tacky adhesivelayer and a layer of self-sticking adhesive adhering'to the outersurface of said shield and having an exposed surface capable of tensciously adhering to a similar adhesive layer surface but incapable ofadhering to an uncoated web surface.

a 8. A web roll arranged for making a high speed splice comprising asubstantially cylindrical roll wound from a continuous web having aleading outer end with at least oneforwardiy extending point thereon, alayer of tacky adhesive on the outer surface of said web point adjacentits leading edge, a flexible shield removably secured to said roll oversaid tacky adhesive layer, means for preventing substantial adhesionbetween said tacky adhesive layer and said shield, and a layer ofself-sticking adhesive adhering to the outer surface of said shield andhaving an exposed surface capable of tenaciously adhering to a similaradhesive layer surface but incapable of adhering to an uncoated websurface.

9. A web roll arranged for making a high speed splice comprising asubstantially cylindrical roll wound from a continuous web having aleading outer end with a plurality of forwardly extending pointsthereon, separable means secured to said roll and said points forremovably securing the leading end of the web to the web roll surface,

a'layer of tacky adhesive on the outer surface of said web roll pointsadjacent their leading edges. a flexible shield substantially imperviousto said taclw adhesive removably secured to said roll over each of saidtacky adhesive layers, and a layer of self-sticking adhesive adhering tothe outer surface of each of said shields and having an exposed surfacecapable of tenaciously adhering to a similar adhesive layer surface butincapable of adhering to an uncoated web surface.

10. A leading web end for a web roll arranged for making a high speedsplice comprising a layer of tacky adhesive on the outer surface of theweb end, means for removably securing the web end to' the roll surface,a shield removably secured 'over said tacky adhesive layer, and a layerof adhesive on the exposed outer surface of said shield adjacent theleading end thereof.

11. A leading web end for a web roll arranged for making a high speedsplice comprising a layer of tacky adhesive on the outer surface of theweb end, means for removably securing the web and to the roll surface, ashield removably secured over said tackyadhesive layer, a layer ofadhesive repellent between said shield and said tacky adhesive layer,and a layer of adhesive on the outer surface of said shield adjacent theleading end thereof.

12. A leading web end for a web roll arranged for making a high speedsplice comprising a layer of tacky adhesive on the outer surface of theweb end, a shield of flexible sheet material substantially impervious tosaid tacky adhesive removably secured over said tacky adhesive layer,and a layer of self-sticking adhesive adhering to the outer surface ofsaid shield adiacent its leading edge and having an exposed surfacecapable of tenaciously adhering to a similar adhesive layer surface butincapable of adhering to an uncoated web surface.

13. In a method of splicing the leading and of a web on a new web rollto a web running from an expiring web roll, the steps of applying atacky adhesive to the outer surface of the leading end of the web on thenew roll, covering said tacky adhesive with a removable shield,accelerating the new web roll by contact with the running web,

and applying a roller to the surface of the new web roll to strip theshield therefrom.

14. In a method of splicing the leading .end of a web on a new web rollto a web running from an expiring web roll, the steps of applying atacky adhesive to the outer surface of the leading end of the web on thenew roll, covering said tacky adhesive with a removable shield carryinga selfsticking adhesive on its outer surface, accelerating the new webroll by contact with the running web and applying a roller coated with aself-stick-' ing adhesive to the surface of the new web roll to stripthe shield therefrom;

OSCAR C. ROESEN.

Pa'tenfi 30. 2,520,657.

qmmcm'n- 0E comcuon. 4

e June 1, 191; boom c. ROESEN.

it is hereby certified error eppeara in the printed specification of theabove rmmbered. patent requiring-correction es follows: Page 1, secondcolumn, line 55, for "end' -read end"a--; page 2, first colmnn, line 55,after the word 'but' 'ineert -'-'w111--;and that the aid Letters Patentshould be read with this correction therein that the same may conform tothe record 0! the casein the Betentofflce.

Signed and aealedrthia 6th day otJuly, 1\. D. 1%.5.

V Henry Von. Ar'adale (Seal) Acting Commisoioher of Paizenta.

